5 Movies That Will Teach How To Give Your Place A Cool, Euro Vibe

What if you could live in an amazing minimalistic house or an art-deco inspired pad?

Are you looking for ideas with a nice European touch to re-decor your place? If that’s the case, let me give you some advice: stop scouring Pinterest for impossible ideas. Instead, lie down in front of your TV and get inspired by cinema. I’m absolutely serious. Do you know how many people are behind the art department in the production of films? These are top designers with a keen sense of style who create the perfect settings for our favorite films. It’s not just the plot, but the great characters and directing skills that make a great movie. After all, it’s a visual media that depends a lot on how everything is looking to make the story more meaningful. So, if you're looking for something classy with an acute sense of style, take a look at these films set in Europe that stood out for their impressive art direction.

A Clockwork Orange (1971) Dir. Stanley Kubrick

Not only is this considered one of Kubrick’s masterpieces, but it’s a pillar of contemporary cinema with tons of fans watching it every once in a while and recreating the iconic looks of the characters whenever they have the chance. If you’re one of those die-hard fans, you should consider bringing that dystopian atmosphere into your home with the many amazing settings of the film. The movie is set in a futuristic Britain, so naturally many of the interiors were designed based on that amazing futuristic esthetic of the seventies. You could go for a more minimalistic style, like the Alexanders’ house. You can also be inspired by the all-white bedroom with hints of bright colors and artworks on the walls of Alex’ room, or by the colorful and groovy living room of his house. Perhaps I'd only change the paintings on the wall.

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The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) Dir. Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson’s visual style is undoubtedly unique and inspiring. His esthetic and gorgeous sense of style is reflected in the art and set design of all his movies, which is so meticulous and detailed that it has inspired many to arrange their home spaces in the same fashion. In The Grand Budapest Hotel, once again Anderson plays with a very specific and exceptional color palette. If you’re thinking about bringing the essence of the film into your own home, the first thing to do is to think in blocks of colors. Step two is finding furniture and decor within that color range, preferably with a vintage, art nouveau style. Finally, arrange everything in a symmetrical and geometrical way, and voilà!

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Amelie (2001) Dir. Jean-Pierre Jeunet

As the hipster movie par excellence (don’t take me wrong, I love it!), Amelie can be a huge fountain of inspiration for anything in life, and I’m not exaggerating. But let’s focus on the esthetic part of the movie. Similar to Wes Anderson's works, the specific color palettes that stand out throughout the whole film give it an amazing and singular vibe that's alluring and helps set the mood and emotional ambiance of each room. Honestly, I think that the most beautiful setting in the movie is Amelie’s room with all those vibrant reds, subtle greens and blues, and quirky ornaments. It's definitely something I'm really considering on replicating in my own room.

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Under The Tuscan Sun (2003) Dir. Audrey Wells

Who wouldn’t want to live in one of those romantic Tuscan villas with their lovely gardens touched by the warm Mediterranean sun? Well, that’s probably what Frances Mayes thought when she saw that house for sale during her vacations in Italy. You know the story: a recently divorced woman goes to Italy to take a break from her horrible reality and discovers a new way of moving on while rebuilding that old derelict house. That metaphor is something we should all go for when we want a fresh start, and doing it with a nice Tuscan style is something I wouldn’t say no to. How can you achieve this? It’s not that hard actually. Again, it’s a matter of choosing the right color palette and the perfect set of plants and furniture to make you feel like you're living la dolce vita.

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Midnight in Paris (2011) Dir. Woody Allen

Now, changing locations and historical period, let’s go to this awesome Woody Allen film. Let’s forget about the lovely sightings in the Paris of the present. Although they're lovely, they aren’t as gorgeous as the ones presented when Gil travels back in time to the roaring twenties. Some of the sets were inspired by real places, like Gertrude Stein’s house or the awesome nightclubs where the intellectual elite gathered to party. So, this one’s definitely a great guide you can follow to bring that modern and elegant vibe of the twenties' art and architecture into your home.

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When it comes to interior design, as we mentioned, there aren’t more proficient minds than the ones in charge of decorating our favorite films. So, just prepare a nice movie marathon, take a pad and a pen, and write down those things you’d think would turn your home into a unique and artsy space.